From post-show gatherings to retailer meetups, the events at Outdoor Retailer Winter are planned to bring the outdoor community together to celebrate the industry.
This year’s winter show runs Nov. 14-16 at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is part of Outdoor Retailer‘s efforts to put on shows that better align with seasonal buying schedules for retailers.
Big Industry Party
On Tuesday, Nov. 14, Basecamp Outdoor is hosting a party in the climbing gym at outdoor retailer evo’s Salt Lake City campus.
The industry shindig will offer free food, drinks, a live DJ, climbing, puppy yoga, photo booths, and more in the Bouldering Project SLC. 7-11 p.m. RSVP required to attend. Click here.
Starting at 6:30 p.m. there will be a free shuttle to the party from the south entrance of the Salt Palace, next to the Hyatt Regency valet. The evo Salt Lake City campus is at 660 S 400 W Suite 600, Salt Lake City.
Events on the Show Floor
Starting things off on Tuesday morning, Sarah Morton and David Deaton from Outdoor Retailer’s Attendee Relations team are providing a retailer orientation on the show floor near the food trucks. 9 a.m.
Following that, the Retailer Discover Tour will help attendees discover new gear, up-and-coming brands, and merchandising inspiration. Sarah Morton and David Deaton will lead the tour on the show floor. 9:30 a.m.
Head to The Camp for a media happy hour, where exhibiting brands can connect with journalists to share new products and story ideas. 4:30-6 p.m.
On Wednesday, there will be another retailer discovery tour similar to Tuesday’s, also starting at 9:30 a.m.
That afternoon, Softlimit, Rebuy, and Klaviyo are hosting an after hours with free drinks, music, and mingling in the Salt Palace lobby. 5:30-7 p.m.
Similar to Tuesday morning, on Thursday there will be a retailer meetup at 9 a.m. near the food trucks. Then Sarah Morton and David Deaton will again lead a tour of the show floor. 9:30 a.m.
Floor Layout
Exhibiting brands will be arranged with a new floor plan that’s designed to encourage exploration and improve the shopping experience, according to OR organizers.
This year the show floor is arranged by activity, so the brands will be in their own sections. Think camp, climb, hike, overland, snow, and lifestyle.
With more than 200 businesses exhibiting, including the sourcing section, the show floor will be a mix of new brands and well-established companies.
The show will also be offering education sessions. Retail and consumer data, marketing to younger generations, and preseason planning for buyers are just a few of the topics that will be discussed at the show.
The schedule change means this is the third OR show for the year. Starting next year, Outdoor Retailer will have two shows in Salt Lake City – the summer show in June and the winter show in November. Read our interview with OR Show Director Sean Smith to find out more about how the November show will be different than past OR shows.
With the schedule changes, this November’s show will share the Salt Palace with another event. The main entrance for Outdoor Retailer Winter 2023 will be from the West side, across from the Delta Center. A diagram of the location for this show is available on outdoorretailer.com.
